Symbol display device



1940- v w. s. PEARSON 2,188,518

SYMBOL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 4, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I A Z null 46 I mfen'ran z/Zzam 15 Pea/5012 Jan. 30, 1940. w. s. PEARSON SYMBOL DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1939 Imfe @65/[212171 5, 1 9021501 yaw $4 a Patented Jan. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE SYMBOL DISPLAY DEVICE William S. Pearson, Park Ridge, 11]., assignor to Peel-co, Inc., Park Ridge, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 4, 1939, Serial No. 271,689

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to symbol display devices and has been developed with a view to displaying house numbers or other symbols before a reflecting background capable of bein illuminated. The present invention is an improvementon my prior display device disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,150,748, granted March 14, 1939.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved reflecting surface by which the light, which comes from a suitable source in the rear of the plane of the symbols, may be distributed in an improved manner so that all the symbols will stand out with equal clearness.

Another object is to provide improved securing means for the symbols whereby they will be held more firmly in position in the device and yet permit of their ready removal in case it becomes necessary to replace them or change the display.

Another object is to produce an article of the kind mentioned which may be manufactured economicallyand which will be at the same time durable and effective in service. f The preferred embodiment of the invention is fully disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. For a measure of the scope of the invention reference should be had to the appended claims.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of a symbol display device constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device with portions shown in section, the plane of section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation through the center of the device, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the symbols carried by the device, the same being the numeral 3, partlybroken away to show the construction. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of one of the clamping strips showing the initial curvature when not in clamping position. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the base of the device, the plane of section being indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig, 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed sectional views showing how the base and face strip fit together, the planes of section being indicated respectively by the lines 1-1 and 8-8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the base and the associated face strip illustrating" also the electric lamp by which the symbols are illuminated. Fig. 10 is a vertical section similar to that of Fig. 3 representing the way in which the light rays are cut oil and reflected by reason of the bulge located in the reflecting face of the device. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the reflecting and holding plate member by which the reflection of the light rays is improved and the symbols more firmly held in place, this 5 view also illustrating one of retaining bolts to show how the same clears the end of the forward flange of this member. And Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp socket and adjacent portions of-the base, the section being indicated 10 by the line l2l2 of Fig. 3. Throughout these views like characters refer to like parts. In some instances also, parts are broken away or slightly separated to show details of construction.

- The new device, as set forth in the present 15 embodiment, includes a shelf-like base A, a support B against the face of which the base bears, a reflecting and holding plate member C extending upward from the base before the support, a lamp socket D located in the center of the base, an outer face plate or strip E which is secured at its lower edge to the outer upper portion of the base, a cooperating clamping strip F, one or more symbols G, held in place between the strips E and F, the latter being reinforced by the plate member C, and an electric lamp H positioned in the socket D.

These several parts. are positioned, as clearly shown, so that the symbols stand out away from the reflecting face of the member C. At the same time said member serves to hold the symbols in place through the action of its upstanding forward portion. By making the symbols black, and the surface of the reflecting face which lies behind them, light, the symbols stand out clearly and are easily read from a considerable distance. In the daytime the light surface of the reflecting plate serves to set off the dark symbols. At night the light which emanates from the lamp illuminates the surface of the reflecting plate and sets ofi the symbols. If desired, the lamp need not be extinguished in the daytime but may be allowed to run night and day.

The base A comprises central, intermediate, and outer portions. These are arranged in different steps and elevations rising as one proceeds either to the left or the right from the center where the lamp socket D is located. The central portion of the base has a bottom lfland an arcuate wall II. The arrangement makes the floor l0 practically a segment of a circle. The intermidate portion has a bottom l2 associated with the wall 13. This wall has arcuate portions at its ends and a central straight portion as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9. The wall ll of the central portion merges into the inner edge of the floor l2 of the intermediate portion, as'clearly illustrated.- The outer portion of the base includes a floor l4 and a wall l5. The inner edge of the floor l4 merges into and forms a continuation of the upper part of the wall l3 of the intermediate portion. The walls l3 and I come very close together along the central portion of the base but are separated at the ends so that the floor I4 is practically divided into two end portions connected by narrow connecting strip l5a between the two.

The upper edge of the wall I5 is provided at intervals with upright projections I6. There are five of these uprights I 6. Three are spaced along the forward edge of the base and in addition there is one at each end of the base adapted to line adjacent to the face of the support B. Each of the projections I6 is provided with a groove l1. These grooves serve as seats for the lower flange of the face strip E. Along the top of the wall l5 at points between the uprights IS, the surface is divided into two parts, one elevated above the other so as to provide vertical ledges or shoulders I. These shoulders I8 are in line with the bottoms of the grooves I1. When the face strip E is in place, then its lower flange will enter the grooves I! of all of the projections l6 and at the same time bear against the shoulders [8 on the top edges of the walls l5. As clearly shown, the front edge of the base is practically parallel with the plane of its rear face, and at its ends the same is neatly curved. With theconstruction described, there is a seat provided throughout the length of the wall 15. This seat, as noted, is for the lower flange of the face strip E.

At the center of the lowermost floor III, a cylindrical pocket i9 is provided. This is integral with the rest of the member A. As will be seen later, the pocket I9 is for the lamp socket D. Along the open or unwalled edges of the floors Ill, l2 and H are provided slight increased thicknesses in the form of beads 20. Similarly, along the edges of the vertical Walls H and I2 there are provided similar increased thicknesses in the form of beads 2|. Preferably the entire base is molded in one piece and for the purpose Bakelite or a similar material is preferably employed. It may also be noted that at one edge of the floor Ill of the base A there is a portion 22 which is thinner than the rest of the floor ID. This is in effect a weak disk which may be broken out for the purpose of providing an opening for the passage of conducting wires on their way to the lamp socket terminals. In all such installations, such passing of wires need not be had. As we shall see presently, they may be passed out through other openings. It will be seen that when the base is placed with its open side against the face of the support B there will result a shelf-like structure with several depressions which gradually decrease in depth toward the center. The base A herein disclosed is the same as the base of the structure of my aforesaid patent.

The support B may take different forms. In the present instance, it is shown as a board or slab of wood, although it may be made of any desired material. Instead of employing a separate board or slab, the support might be part of the structure on which the device is mounted. Thus, for example, if the symbols be numerals to designate the number of a house, then the support B may be the lintel or other portion of the door frame on which the number is located.

The reflecting plate member C constitutes an important element in the structure of the present invention. It is constructed-to serve two functions. One of these is to direct the reflected light in an improved way so as to leave the visibility of the diflerent symbols more nearly equal than heretofore, and the other is to assist in securing the symbols in place. The member 0 includes. a rear upright portion 25 and a forward portion 26. These two portions are united by an intervening gutter-forming portion 21. At the center of the trough thus formed, is an opening 29 which is of ample size to freely pass the electric lamp H when assembling the parts. As' is clearly shown, the forward flange portion 26 of the member C is shorter than the rear reflecting portion 25. As shown, the member C is preferably made up of a single sheet of metal which is pressed into the shape shown. I

It will be noted that the rear portion 25 has a peripheral flange 30 at its top and ends. This flange strengthens this portion of the member against transverse movement. In this way thisportlon which reflects the light in the assembled structure is maintained in its original condition, and therefore there is assured a uniform reflection of light in the way intended. The periphery of the forward portion 26 is not flanged in this way, and in the forming ofit the sheet is cut diagonally as indicated at 3| to shorten this flange. The peripheral flange 30 is provided with end portions 35 which by being pressed out in the direction of the plane of the reflecting surface, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 11, have their rear edges moved forward slightly with reference to the plane of the rear edge of the flange 30. When the parts are in assembled position, these flange portions 35 abut against end flanges upon the retaining strip E and the rear edge of the flange 30 at those portions which lie between the end portions 35 engage the face of the support B.

Obviously, the support may vary in height. In some instances it may exceed the height of the member C, as illustrated, and again it may be of less height and the reflecting portion 25 may extend beyond the upper edge of the support. On the other hand, the upper edge 32 of the forward portion 26 of the member C is only high enough to engage the rear of the cooperating clamping strip F to hold the symbols in place.

In considering the reflecting surface of the rear portion 25 of the member C, it will be noted that the same is provided with a bulge 33 which is located at about the level of the upper edge 32 of the portion 26. In other Words, this bulge 33 is located in a horizontal plane which passes through the symbols G near their bottoms. This bulge is also located directly above the lamp H. Put in another way, the bulge is, laterally considered, in a vertical transverse plane which extends through the center of the lamp. In Fig. the upper surface of the lamp H is indicated by the circular line 34 and there are two rays of light represented by the dash lines a and b. These are limiting rays and divide the space above the bulge 33 into a penumbral portion and a bright portion, the former extending from the bulge 33 to the point 36 and the latter extending from the point 36 to the periphery of the surface. As clearly shown by the rays 11 and b, there is no umbra, that is to say, no region from which light from the lamp is wholly cut oif, but the region from the bulge to the point 36 is one witharcane in which the rays of light from the lamp H are partly but not wholly intercepted. Thus we see that the reflecting surface is one wherein the bulge '33 casts a penumbral shadowthat hasa bright unshadowed portion aroundit. In this view we have discussed only the rays in the vertical plane through the center of illumination.

Now when it comes to a consideration of the rays in other radial planes through the center of illumination, it will be obvious that there will be several in which the relations will be similar to those found in the vertical plane just considered. There will be the same penumbral and bright portions. of course, in radial planes where the bulge is not cut, the entire surface will be bright and the rays will follow the usual laws as to incidence and reflection.

The net result is an improved Spread of light behind the symbols. Bright spots which tend to obliterate the symbols to the observer are thus removed. And the outer portions of the reflecting surface give off an abundance of light. These results are just what are desired.

Under conditions where such bright spots will occur with a plane reflecting surface, they will entirely disappear when that surface is bulged after the manner of the present invention. This way of avoiding these spots is very effective. It also suits various conditions of service.

The results here stated have been demonstrated in practice.

It may be pointed out that in providing the bulge 33, the surface outward of the bulge is curved. Thus, in the vertical plane of Fig. 10, the line of curvature extending from the bulge 33 upward to the periphery of the reflecting surface 25 is arcuate, the same being struck about a fixed point of rotation with a long radius. In other words, the arc in question is part of the circumference of a circle. The same general circular curvatureexists in the case of other like planes passing through the center of the bulge and radiating therefrom. These, however, need not be especially illustrated. The one illustration of the plane of Fig. 10 will suffice to show their character.

As a result of the central shadowing bulge and the surrounding curved reflecting surface there is not only the subduing of the light intensity at the center of the member C but there is the bright illumination of the border due to the reception of more of the rays emanating from the lamp H. This means that the peripheral space which might be but poorly lighted were the surface a plane surface is now more brightly lighted. Likewise-the reflected rays in the peripheral zone will be directed outward away from the reflecting surfaceand will not light up objects which lie just outward of the said surface and more nearly in the plane thereof. Thus, the display of the symbols will not be detracted from by the undue lighting of immediately contiguous objects.

Proceeding now to a consideration of the lamp H and the associated connections, both mechanical and electrical, it will be noted that the socket D includes a shell 31 and a central terminal 38 suitably insulated from each other. As shown, the shell 31 is electrically connected to a wire 39 and the central terminal 38 is electrically connected to a wire 40. The lamp H has the usual shell and tip construction by which circuit is completed through the filament of the lamp whenever the lamp is properly positioned within the socket. The wires 39 and 40 may be passed out of thesocket in different ways. Preferably, theinterior of the shell [9 is provided with a passage 4| through which the tip wire 40 extends. A slot 42 in the top edge of the shell I9 permits both the shell wire 39 and the tip wire 4i to pass out of the shell into the interior of the lower central portion of the base. 'Fromthis interior it might be passedto the exterior of the base by way of the opening provided by breaking out the thin disk 22 of the base floor l0. These wires are connected to any suitable source of electricity. Ordinarily the lamp H is of low voltage and the commonly supplied current is reduced to the desiredvoltage by a suitable transformer. Because of the low consumption of the energy by the lamp, it is common to leave the same permanently connected to the source of electricity so that the lamp H will burn both day and night. However, the lamp may be cut out of circuit by a suitable switch if it is so desired.

Coming now to the face strip'E, it will be noted that of the upper forward edge of the base A.

This strip has a central portion 44 which terminates in an upper flange 45 and a lower flange 46. It is this lower flange 46 which is fitted into the grooves l1 and against the shoulders 18 of the base A, as before mentioned. Besides having these upper and lower flanges the strip E also has inturned flanges 41 at its opposite ends. The face strip is composed of metal and because of its curved ends has a slight yield which permits of its being easily slipped into place upon the base A. A very slight movement of the face plate E will serve to spring its end flanges 41 so that they will engage at their lower ends with the rear faces of the projection l6 located at the ends of the wall 15 of the base A. The same action will permit the upper portions of the flanges 41 to engage the specially shaped end portions 35 of the'flange 30 of the reflecting member C to hold the latter in place in the assembled structure.

When the structure is fully assembled, and placed against the face of the support B, it will be obvious that with a lamp such as the lamp H in use, the light from the latter will be cut off at the front of the device by the strip E and a certain amount of it will be cut off at the ends by the same strip. On the other hand, the light rays will be free to pass upward into contact with the reflecting face of the member C, as be? fore pointed out.

The face plate E is provided with a plurality of holes 59 through which retaining membersin the form of headed bolts 5| may be passed. These bolts extend through similar holes 52 in the plate member C and through corresponding holes in the support B. The rear ends of the bolts 5! are threaded for the reception of nuts 53. By screwing up the nuts 53 upon the bolts 5| the assembled structure may be firmly held together. In other words, the base A, the refleeting member C and the face strip E will be firmly held together against the support B. It will be noted that when the bolts 5| are in position they just clear the ends of the forward flange 26 of the member C, as clearly shown more symbols G in place in the device. As clearly shown in Fig. 5, the strip F has a given set so that its center bulges outward. This is provided so that when the strip is put in place in the device with the symbols G in place the central portion of the strip will bear against the centrally disposed symbols with that degree of pressure which will hold the central symbols as firmly .as the'others. This is what will occur when assembling the parts before the plate member C isput into position. As clearly shown, the ends 56 of the strip F are arcuate and free of any transverse grooves or projections. In contrast to this, the center 51 is bent at its upper edge so as 'to provide a flange 58 which extends sub-, stantiallyv at right angles to the portion 51. When assembling the strip into the structure, the ends 56 abut at their extremities against the flanges 41 of the face strip E. As we shall see presently, the intermediate flange portion of the strip F bears against the rear sides of the symbols G. The strip F is sufl'iciently flexible, although made of light springy metal, to be slipped into place, as just described, after the various symbols have been set in position. Following the placing of the strip F against the symbols G in the manner just pointed out so as to secure the symbols and springing the strips E and F together, then the reflecting member C is slipped into its final position by passing the same over the lamp H and then springing the end portions 35 of the flange 30 into and behind the end flanges 47 of the strip E. Thus, the parts are fully assembled.

The symbols G may take various forms. Ordinarily where house numbers are to' be provided, a number of stamped or molded numerals are prepared and then the appropriate ones are placed in position between the strips E and F and assembled in place as previously explained. In the present instance the house number is "1939. Each symbol is provided at its lower end with a projection 59. Upon the forward side of this projection are a number of spacing studs 60. These might be quite different in form than shown since their only purpose is to space the top and the bottom of the projection 59 with respect to the strip E. As shown, these projections abut against the rear of the face strip E and the upper flange 45 of the face strip is engaged by the upper pair of studs 60. On the opposite side of the projection 59 is agroove 6| just above a transverse projection 62. The portion below the projection 62 is cut away so as to lie in the plane of the bottom of the groove 6|, all as clearly illustrated. The retaining strip F serves to engage this latter face of the projection 59, the flange 58 entering the groove 6| 55 and the flatter portion 51 of the strip engaging the flat face of the projection 59 which lies below the projection 62. It will be noted that the upper edge 32 of the forward portion .26 of the member C will engage the rear face of the flatter portion 51 of the strip F. In this way the portion 26 exerts a certain spring action upon the strip F along through its center where it engages the symbols. This spring action is available in the member C.because the same is made out of a single plate of metal which is shaped up to provide the rear and forward portions 25 and 26, as before explained. In this forming operation, it will be easy to leave the plate in such condition that the forward portion 26 will have a bias tending to move-its upper edge 32 against the strip F. By this construction a close flt is established between the upper studs 60 and the flange 45 of the strip E. Thus a grip upon the symbols is provided which will securely hold them in proper position. The engagement of the flange 58 upon the strip F with the groove 5| upon each symbol also cooperates in firmly holding the symbols in place. Thus, the symbols are held upright and yet the frictional engagement between the parts is not so great but that they may be moved laterally to properly center them upon the device.

As'clearly shown in Fig. 4, the symbolsare molded or otherwise formed with cut-away or depressed portions 63 which reduce their weight and yet leave them in proper outline when viewed in the usual way. The symbols G, like the base A, are preferably molded out of Bakelite or similarmaterial. The result is a series of dark symbols separated from the dark base A by the face strip E which is composed of metal and is preferably bright, either by reason of using stainless steel in its formation, or because of being nickel-plated, chromium-plated, or

otherwise treated, the dark effect'of the dark symbols and dark base, with an intervening bright band is quite attractive.

The lamp H is an electric lamp, preferably of low voltage, say 6 or 8 volts, and when screwed down or otherwise operatively positioned in the socket D, is preferably protected from the weather by a ring or gasket of rubber designated 64. This ring constitutes a cover which may be pulled down as a sleeve over the shoulder ill of the socket structure. Thus, its upper end is closed around the lamp H and yieldingly bears against the same, thus providing a water-tight and weather-proof covering by which the lamp connections are amply protected.

It will be apparent that the device will be varied in construction in certain particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should also be noted that the symbols G may be interchanged or replaced. This may be a done readily by disengaging one of the end flanges .41 of the strip E from the engaging portions 35 of the flange 30 of the plate C. This can be readily done by hand or with the aid of a screw driver. When the plate C is removed, then the strip F may be readily sprung out of place by bringing one of its ends 56 out of engagement with the flange 41 of the strip E. When the strip F is removed, then the symbols may be readily interchanged or new ones provided as desired. After the symbols are newly assembled the strip F and the plate C may be readily put in position as before described.

I claim:

1. A symbol display device comprising a shelflike base, an electric lamp socket, an elongated face strip secured to said base, symbols having projections which projections bear against the rear of said strip, a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, and a securing and reflecting member comprising a forward upstanding flange for engaging said second strip to press the same against said symbols and a rearward upstanding reflecting portion for reflecting the light emanating from said lamp outward to and among said symbols, said lamp being positioned just forward of said reflecting portion and at a level near that of the lower ends of said symbols.

2. A symbol display device comprising a shelflike base, an electric lamp socket, an elongated face strip engaging the forward portion of said base, symbols having projections which projections bear against the rear of said strip, -a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, and a securing and reflecting member comprising a forward upstanding flange for engaging said second strip to press the same against said symbols and a rearward upstanding reflecting portion for reflecting the light emanating from said lamp outward to and among said symbols, said lamp being positioned just forward of said reflecting portion and at a level near that of the lower ends of said symbols, and said reflecting portion having a central bulge above the level of said lamp for controlling the application to said reflecting portion of the light emanating from said lamp.

3.;A symbol display device comprising a shelflllneglziase, an electric lamp socket, an elongated fad strip contacting said base, symbols having projections which projections bear against the rear, of said strip, a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, and a securing and reflecting member comprising a forward upstanding flange for engaging said second strip to press the same against said symbols and a rearward upstanding reflecting portion for reflecting the light emanating from said lamp outward to and among said symbols, said lamp being positioned just forward of said reflecting portion and at a level near that of the lower ends of said symbols, and said reflecting portion having a central bulge and a dished portion outward thereof, said bulge cutting off in part the rays of light emanating from said lamp and traveling toward said dished portion.

4. A symbol display device comprising a support, a shelf-like base, an electric lamp socket, an elongated face strip contacting said base, symbols having projections which projections bear against the rear of said strip, a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, and a securing and reflecting member comprising a forward upstanding flange for engaging said second strip to press the same against said symbols and a rearward upstanding reflecting portion for reflecting the light emanating from said lamp outward to and among said symbols, said lamp being positioned just forward of said reflecting portion and at a level near that of the lower ends of said symbols, and a plurality of bolts for connecting said face strip and said securing and reflecting member in holding engagement with said support.

5. A symbol display device comprising a shelflike base, an electric lamp socket, an elongated face strip cooperating with said base to cut off rays 'of light from a lamp in said socket, symbols having projections which projections bearagainst the rear of said strip, 'a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, and a-member having upstanding rear and forward plate portions cooperating to hold said symbols in place, said rear portion being detachably held at its ends by the ends of said face strip and said forward portion yieldingly pressing against the rear of said second strip.

6. A symbol display device comprising a support, a shelf-like base, an electric lamp socket, an elongated face strip engaging the forward portion of said base to form a housing, symbols having projections which projections bear against the rear of said strip, a second strip bearing against the rear of said projections, a member having upstanding rear and forward plate portions cooperating to hold said symbols in place, said rear portion finding a rigid bearing in said support and said forward portion yieldingly pressing against the rear of said second strip, and means for securing said face strip to said support.

7. A symbol display device comprising a member having upstanding rear and forward plate portions connected by a bottom portion, all of said portions being of the same material, an electric lamp socket, means-for supporting 'said socket in position to cause the' lamp therein to shine upon the forward reflecting face of said upstanding rear plate portion, symbols having downwardly extending projections, clamping strips adjacent to said forward plate portion lying before and behind said projections to hold said symbols upright before said reflecting face portion, at least one of said clamping strips being composed of springy material, and means for securing said outer clamping strip to said first mentioned member.

8. In a display device of the class described, the combination of a plate member having an upstanding rear plate portion and a forwardly extending portion, the entire member being of the same material throughout and the forward face of the rear plate portion serving as a reflector, means cooperating with said plate member to hold an electric lamp-in reflecting position before said rear plate portion, symbols having downwardly forward of said projections, a second clamping strip behind said projections, at least one of said strips being composed of springy material, said strips holding said symbols in display position, and means for holding said strips in clamping position.

9. In a display device of the class described, the combination of a plate member having an upstanding rear plate portion and a forwardly extending portion meeting said upstanding portion in a substantially right line, the entire member being composed of the same material throughout and the forward face of said upstanding serving as a reflector, means for supporting an electric lamp near said right line and just forward of said reflecting face, symbols having downwardly extending projections, an outer clamping strip for engaging the forward faces of said projections, an inner clamping strip for engaging the rear faces of said projections, at least one of said strips being composed of springy material, and means for holding said strips in symbol clamping position with said symbols upstanding before and spaced from said reflecting face.

10. In a display device of the class described, the combination of a plate member having an upstanding rear plate portion and a forwardly extending portion meeting said upstanding portion in a substantially right line, the entire member being composed of the same material throughout and the forward face of said upstanding portion serving as a reflector, means for supporting an electric lamp near said right line and just forward of said reflecting face, symbols having downwardly extending projections, and outer clamping strip for engaging the forward faces of said projections, and yielding means cooperating with said plate portions to yieldingly press against the rear faces of said projections to hold said symbols upstanding before and spaced from said reflecting face.

11. A symbol display device comprising an upright reflecting member, symbols upstanding before and spaced from said member and having downward projections, an electric lamp located forward of the plane of said member and rearward of the plane of said symbols, said lamp being near said projections and positioned centrally of said member when considered widthwise,

means for engaging said projections to hold said symbols in place, and means for securing said reflecting member, lamp and engaging means together in the relation stated, said member having means above said lamp and cooperating with it to cast a central shadow on the upper portion of said reflecting member behind the centrally disposed symbols while leaving other portions 01' said member on both sides of said central shadow free. to receive and reflect full strength rays.

12. A symbol display device comprising an upright reflecting member, symbols upstanding before and spaced from said member and having downward projections, an electric lamp located forward .01 the plane of said member and rearward of the plane 01' said symbols, said lamp being near said projections and positioned centrally 01' said member when considered widthwise, means for engaging said projections to hold said symbols in place, and means for securing said reflecting member, lamp and engaging means together in the relation stated, said member having at its center above said lamp and cooperating with it a shadow-producing bulge operative to cast a central shadow on the portion of said reflecting member behind the centrally disposed symbols while leaving other portions of said member on both sides of said central shadow free to receive and reflectfull strength rays.

13. A symbol display device comprising an upright reflecting member, symbols upstanding before and spaced from said member and having downward projections, an electric lamp located forward of the plane of said member and rearward of the plane of said symbols, said lamp being near said projections and positioned centrally of said member when considered widthwise, means for engaging said projections to hold said symbols in place, and means for securing said reflecting member, lamp and engaging means together in the relation stated, said member having an outer peripheral dished portion and at its center above said lamp and cooperating with it a shadow-producing bulge operative to cast a more or less penumbral shadow upon the upper reflecting surface of said member behind the centrally disposed symbols while leaving unshadowed portions above and on both sides of said shadowed portion free to receive and reflect full strength rays.

WILLIAM S. PEARSON. 

